Auto enthusiasts who remember the 1980s and 1990s will probably recall the good-old in-car cassette deck. That holds especially true for the 1980s – the decade of the cassette – where pretty much every automaker offered some variation of a black stereo adorned with push buttons and digital display. They were a stark contrast to the old analog radios that used two big knobs to control volume and tune a station, and they’re as definitively 1980s as a John Hughes movie.

Decade Of Decadence:

Now that vehicles from this era are becoming bonafide classics, there’s a small-but-steady market for modern Bluetooth-equipped stereo systems that have a proper retro look. Blaupunkt decks were often found in high-end rides back in the day, and to help bridge the technology gap, the company now offers a proper 21st-century deck with all the glorious ‘80’s aesthetics to keep your classic ride – be it an air-cooled Porsche 911 or a Ford Escort – looking the part.

The retro-styled Bremen SQR 46 DAB is packed with small buttons and dials, with a single knob for the volume and a period-correct digital display. There’s even a cassette slot, though it’s just for looks. Aside from a typical AM/FM tuner, the Bremen has USB, SD, SDHC and Bluetooth capability. It also has built-in and external microphones so you can pair your phone and chat away as you would with any modern system.

The Best Of Times, The Worst Of Times:

There are all kinds of current aftermarket stereo decks that will easily mount into classic rides, but as Autoblog rightfully points out, these smooth-face decks with snazzy displays look decidedly out-of-place in something from the glam rock era. There is a literal price to pay, however, for maintaining that vintage 1980’s design. The Bremen SQR 46 DAB lists at €449, which is approximately $500 in U.S. currency. It’s not outrageous by any means, but it is a bit more than your average high-quality aftermarket deck. If, however, you want to maintain a proper digital look to your classic 1980’s ride, we reckon it’s money well spent.